Means for positioning the arm, wrist, and hand on a violin



W. C. HAYS May 2, 1933.

MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE ARM, WRIST, AND HAND ON A VIOLIN Original Filed Sept. 19, 1931 /5/ MW /34 w ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 2, 1933 1 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE WILL C. HAYS, F FRESNO, CALIFORNIA MEANS POSITIONING THE ARM, WRIST, AND HAND ON A VIOLIN Application filed September 19, 1931, Serial No. 563,570.

Renewed February 6, 1933.

My invention relates to means for simula cap 12 over the screw end. l/Vhen the clamp taneously positioningv the arm, wrist, and hand in playing a violin.

The general object of my device is to aid pupils in holding a violin in proper position for playing. Violin pupils invariably and naturally hold a violin in an incorrect position for playing. The pupil may be minutely instructed and the proper position illustrated and explained to him, but unless there is a mechanical device which impels the pupil to hold the instrument in a constantly correct position excessive time and teaching is required to accomplish the result which can be accomplished in a few lessons by the use of my device. It is noted that my device has the object of simultaneously positioning the arm, the wrist, and the hand of the pupil, and the various parts thereof are adjustable to fit: different sizes of pupils arms and violins.

It should be noted that my device simultaneously positions the arm, wrist and hand. To properly position either of these members without at the same time positioning the other members named would be of no value to the student.

In the drawing herewith Fig. 1 shows the device as mounted on a violin and in position on the arm, wrist and hand. Fig. 2 is a view of the clamp for holding the device to the violin with fractional views of the extensions attached thereto.

Fig.3 is a separate view of the arm rest and a fractional view of the stem holding it to the clamp. Fig. 4 is a View partly in section for holding the arm rest to the stem. Fig. 5 is a separate view of the wrist rest. Fig. 6 is a separate view of the hand rest.

My device is adapted to be clamped to the body of the violin at the location wherethe neck is attached thereto. The clamp consists of a U shaped base member 7. The upper stems of the U member have hooks 8 45 extending in the same general direction.

The under face of the hooks can be padded with felt 9 or similar material to prevent the clamp from marring the outside finish of the violin. At the approximate center of the bottom of the U member is a screw 10 having is positioned on the violin the screw is tightened against base member 7 of the violin, thus holding the clamp base member rigid with the violin.

To one stem of the clamp is attached rod 13 which runs approximately parallel with the neck of the violin, which rod terminates with a bent portion 131 extending under one of the violin keys 130 to hold it in a rigid position. An upward projection 14 is positioned at the location which places the thumb 132 in a proper position as shown. As rod 13 is formed of telescoping members'13l and 135 its length can be adjustable by sliding the stem 134 into or out of split tube 135 and then locked therein by thumb nut 136. The length of rod 13 is thus adapted to fix the position of the hand on the neck of the instrument.

To the said stem of the clamp I'have attached a tubular rod 20, in which the free end is slotted and threaded to receive a nut 220. The threaded hole in the nut is conical so that when screwed on the slotted portion it tends to clamp an auxiliary stem 22 which extends within tubular rod 20. The outside end 23 of auxiliary stem 22 is formed into a curve extending on each side of stem 22 and is adapted to fit over the wrist. The object in forming this support as described is to permit adjustment as to length.

The arm rest consists of adepending wire 15 preferably curved and a support 16 thereon consisting of wire loops attached to the depending wire. The arm support is attached to wire 15 by means of a simple clamp consisting of screw means 17, whereby the arm support can be raised or lowered on curved wire 15 to fit the pupils arm. It is noted that the arm support engages the under side of the arm. These wires should be sufficiently rigid to keep the hand, wrist, and arm in the positions fixed by the adjustments of the device. V

It is noted that the arm rest supports the under part of the forearm and holds it under the violin. The wrist is engaged by the wrist guide which extends over the top of the wrist, and the guide for the hand holds the thumb and hand in a position so the fingers have a free action.

These three supports and guides combined, v fix the relative positions of the arm, wrist, and hand on the violin and the adjustments can be made thereon so that said position is the ro osition for playing a violin.

avi g dhscribed my invention I claim: 1. In a device adapted to position the arm and wrist with relation to holding a violin in a correct position for playing, consisting of the combination of an adjustable forearm support, an adjustable wrist engaging member, and a hand engaging means adapted to hold the hand a spaced distance from the neck of the vifilin, all of which are rigidly attached to the violin.

2. In a device adapted to hold the arm, the wrist and the hand in correct position for playing music on a violin, the combination of a holding member adapted to be clamped to this violinbody adjacent to the neck of the violin, rigid forearm rest suspended from said base, rigid wrist engaging means attached to said holding member, said arm rest and wrist engagin' means being adjustable as to the distance rom the base and adjustable as to the position in which the arm and wrist will be engaged thereby.

. 3. In a device adapted to hold the arm, the wrist, and the hand in correct position for laying a vioiin, the combination of a holding member adapted to be attached to the violin, an adjustable forearm support, adjustable wrist engaging means, and a hand st0p,- each of which is attached to said holding member.

4; In a device to assist the manual holding of a violin in position for playing music thereon, the combination of a holdin member adapted to be attached to the violin, a forearm rest consisting of a depending rod attached at one end to the holding member and an arm engaging member attached to the rod between the ends thereof, wrist engagin means consisting of an extension attache to the, holding member and terminating at the free end with a curved stop positioned andadapted to position the wrist a spaced distance from the violin, and a hand positioning member consistingof a rigidwire attached to the holding member and extended along the neck of the violin and spaced therefrom, the free end thereof engaging a key on said violin, said wire having a pro'ection thereon adapted to hold the thumb an hand aspaced distance from the scroll and neck of the vioiin..

5. 'In'a' device to assist the manual holding of a violin in position'for playing music thereom-Bhe combination of a holding memberadapted to be attached to the violin, a forearm rest consisting of a rod attached at one end to the holding member and an arm engaging member adapted to receive the forearm adjustably attached between the ends thereof to said rod, wrist engagin means consisting of an extension attache at one end to the holding member and terminating at the free end with a curved sto positioned and adapted to position the Wrist a spaced distance from the violin, and a hand guiding member cansiding of a rigid wire attached at one end to the holding member and extended along the neck of the violin and spaced therefrom, the free end of said wire bein adapted to engage a key on said violin, said wire having a stop thereon adapted to hold the thumb a spaced distance from the scroll of the violin.

6. In a device to assist the manual holding of a violin in position for pla ing music thereon, the combination of a ho ding member adapted to be attached to the violin, a forearm rest consisting of a rod attached at one end to the holding member, and an arm engaging member attached between the ends thereof, wrist engaging means consisting of an adjustable extension attached to the holding member and terminating at the free end with a curved stop adapted to partially encircle the wrist and adapted to hold the wrist. a spaced distance from the violin, a/hand guiding member consisting of a rigid wire attached at one end to the holding member and extending along the neck of the violin and spaced therefrom, said wire having a projection thereon adapted to hold the thumb a spaced distance from the scroll of the violin, said forearm rest, wrist engaging means, and hand guiding member being adjustable with relation to each other;

WILL C. HAYS. 

